Deakin Engagement and Access Program (DEAP)

Through DEAP, Deakin University collaborates with school communities to widen participation in higher education.

Through a coordinated program
of activities from Grade 4 to Year 12, DEAP builds on students' aspirations and
awareness to introduce university as a desirable and achievable pathway. DEAP partner schools are located in
Melbourne, Geelong and the Barwon South Western Region.

DEAP aims

To support aspirations and attainment for higher education, inspiring students to both consider and access university as a viable pathway.

To engage parents and carers with the aim of encouraging and supporting families' understanding of and aspirations for higher education.

To familiarise students with university life and pathways to university, including VTAC's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS).

To support schools in preparing students for the transition to university and connecting with transition programs at Deakin University.

To support the development of students' self-efficacy,
enhancing educational engagement and achievement.

DEAP activities

Primary schools

DEAP's partnerships with
primary schools have been developed on the understanding that educational and
career aspirations are shaped by students' self-efficacy during early formative
years. These partnerships involve a
coordinated range of early interventions that support self-efficacy, through
highly creative and engaging activities.

Adopting
a 'Challenges, NOT barriers theme', this half-day activity encourages students
to explore university, both from an academic and student support perspective.
Students have a tangible opportunity to envisage themselves succeeding in a
university environment in a mock graduation ceremony.

Students
are given the opportunity to develop their journalistic skills as they create news
broadcasts about their school and local community. Students upload
their stories on the school website which is linked to the DSNN webpage for all
participating schools. The activity
culminates in a celebration at the Burwood campus, where students share their
DSNN news stories and experience the Deakin TV studio with other participating
schools.

Held
on campus, the Deakin Experience Day encourages students to consider university
as a desirable and achievable option. Through
a range of interactive group activities, students become familiar with a
university campus and learn about the diverse experiences that university can
provide.

This
in-school drop-in session offers students the opportunity to speak with a
Deakin representative about all aspects of university such as choosing a course
or university, pathways, applying, preferences and transition support.

The Victorian Tertiary
Admissions Centre (VTAC) Special Entry Access Scheme aims to make the
university selection process fairer for students who have experienced
circumstances that have impacted their education. All students at DEAP partner
schools are eligible under at least one category. With the support of Deakin staff and students,
participants have the opportunity to draft a SEAS and scholarships application
for a mock applicant profile, putting into practice the skills and knowledge
gained in the workshop.

Community partnerships

Parent/carer engagement

Parents and carers of
students in Years 5-8 explore strategies that support significant adults to
foster students' engagement in education. These workshops are delivered in
collaboration with the Barwon Adolescent Task Force, schools and community
partners.

SEAS for professionals

The Special Entry Access
Scheme (SEAS) is for higher education applicants who have experienced
circumstances that have affected their education. In this presentation, professionals working
with young people are assisted to understand SEAS, and develop their ability to
support students' SEAS applications.

Study Skills

Facilitated during school
holidays, this half-day activity explores issues relating to study skills with
senior secondary students. It is
facilitated according to the Peer Assisted Study Sessions
(PASS) model, a successful peer learning program at Deakin
University.